Preserving baked goods during storage

ABSTRACT

The invention provides a method of preserving baked goods comprising placing the baked goods in package and inserting an absorber for hexanal into the package.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to the packaging of baked goods with materials toprolong their shelf life. It particularly relates to the packaging ofbaked goods with absorbents.

2. Description of Related Art

It is known in the packaging of foods that various materials may beadded to food packages to prolong storage life. Sometimes materialsabsorb moisture to lower the relative humidity in the package. At othertimes oxygen absorbers are added to lower oxidation of the material inthe package.

In the packaging of baked goods it is known to place ethyl alcohol inthe package to prolong shelf life. “Novel Food Packaging Techniques,” byRaija Ahvenainen (2003) pages 56-58 and 94 it is taught that ethanol hasstrong antibacterial and antifungal activity however it is not strongenough to prevent the growth of yeast. Also ethanol is commonly usedwith bakery products in Europe to extend the shelf life. Usually theethyl alcohol is sprayed on the bakery item.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,103,141 Incorvia and US publication 2002/0188046—McKedydiscloses activated carbon utilized in an absorbent. U.S. Pat. No.6,248,690—McKedy discloses activated carbon as a water supplier for anoxygen absorber. US publication 2010/0018236—Powers discloses activatedcarbon for absorbing moisture and odor. US 2009/0053388—Powers disclosesactivated carbon as holding a flavor emitter.

There remains a need for improved packaging of baked goods. Baked goodsemit hexanal during storage. There is a need for a product that wouldabsorb hexanal and decay odors as well as aid in the prevention of decayof the baked goods. There remains a need for a product that is low-cost,easy-to-use, and safe.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides a method of preserving baked goods comprisingplacing the baked goods in package and inserting an absorber for hexanaland decay odors into the package.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

There are numerous advantages to the instant invention. The instantinvention allows longer storage of baked goods. Further it is low incost and absorbs both unpleasant odors and hexanal. The hexanal also hasan unpleasant odor. Further the invention method is compatible withother food packaging materials such as oxygen absorbers and waterabsorbers. The packaging method of the invention improves the taste andodor of baked goods in storage. These and other advantages will beapparent from the detailed description below.

The invention method initiates the process of improving preservation ofthe baked goods by placing a hexanal absorber into the package for thebaked goods. The hexanal absorber may be any suitable material such asactivated carbon, molecular sieve material and silica gel. Hexanal isundesirable because it has an undesirable and offensive odor. This odorcan give the impression that the bakery item is bad before its time. Apreferred material has been found to be activated carbon as thismaterial both efficiently adsorbs odor and hexanal. A most preferredcarbon material has been found to be a small pore activated carbon asthis material has been found to more rapidly adsorb flavor compounds andto be able to adsorb and retain a greater amount of flavor compoundsthan a larger pore activated carbon. Too large a pore size and the gasis not retained in the particle.

In a preferred embodiment, the invention includes a hexanal reducingcomposition including an adsorber that will releasably retain sulfurdioxide and an absorber that will react with the sulfur dioxide toirreversibly retain the sulfur dioxide. For example, the absorber willreact with the sulfur dioxide to convert the sulfur dioxide into anothercompound that cannot later be released back into the package. Inoperation, the adsorber draws the hexanal into the composition and theabsorber reacts with the hexanal to form a new compound from whichsulfur dioxide is not released.

The adsorber is any substance that will releasably retain hexanal. Theadsorber preferably is a porous structure that allows for retention ofthe hexanal in its pores. Adsorbers usable in the invention include, butare not limited to, activated carbon, molecular sieve and silica gel.

Although in some applications the adsorber may be sufficient to removehexanal from a headspace of a container, for example, using activatedcarbon or the like, can lead to subsequent release of the sulfurdioxide. Thus preferred embodiments of the invention further include anabsorber.

Any activated carbon may be utilized in the invention. However, asstated above a small pore activated carbon is preferred as the gas isretained better in the carbon particle when adsorbing flavor chemicals.The molecular sieve also is more effective in adsorbing the flavors andhexanal if the pore sizes are small. The activated carbon may be presentin any suitable amount. Generally the activated carbon is present in anyamount effective with a particular baked good as hexanal is given off indiffering amounts by different baked goods. Typically a typical amountfor an activated carbon or silica gel would be between 1 and 30 gramsper 500 grams of baked goods. A preferred amount for the preferred smallpore activated carbon would be between 5 and 20 grams for a 500 gramwhole wheat bread loaf.

Absorbers may be added to the activated carbon or molecular sieve toincrease the adsorption of fragrances, odors and hexanal and react withthe hexanal, or other absorbent, to prevent the release of the materialabsorbed. Suitable for use to increase adsorption capacity and speed ofhexanal adsorption was sodium bisulfite or potassium bisulfite. Sodiumbisulfate and hydrogen peroxide or other peroxides, calcium peroxide andpotassium carbonate may be utilized with or without a carrier. Theamount of sodium or potassium bisulfite utilized in the invention maybeany effective amount. A preferred amount is between 1 and 5 grams toincrease the absorption of odors and hexanal from a 500 gram whole wheatbread loaf.

While hexanal is the material most desired for absorption to aid inlonger shelf life, the absorption of aldehydes is also of interest toincrease shelf life. Aldehydes which may be given off by baked goodsinclude acetaldehyde, vanillic aldehydes, furfuraldehyde, anyisaldehyde,perillaldehyde, benzaldehyde, and cinnamic aldehydes. These and othermaterials would be adsorbed by activated carbon and silica gel.

While the invention has been described as being particularly suitablefor use with bread, it is to be understood that other baked goods alsowould benefit by the invention. Such baked goods would include pies,rolls, cakes, coffee cakes, doughnuts, cookies, sweet rolls (such ascinnamon rolls), fruitcakes, and bagels.

The invention has been described primarily as comprising a method forabsorbing hexanal using materials such as activated carbon, peroxides,and a bisulfite, it is understood that other materials normally would bepresent in such an absorber. The other additives include bactericides,fungicides, fillers, and other additives which aid in food storage butnot necessarily the absorption of hexanal.

The material of the invention may be placed into the package by avariety of means. The material may be placed into a sachet of a watervapor and hexanal permeable cloth or membrane, such as microporouspolyethylene fibrous sheets (such as Tyvek®) or microporous gaspermeable polymer sheets. Further the absorbent of the invention couldbe placed in an adhesive label or patch which is attached to the insideof the package, normally below printing on the package so that is notvisible to the customer. The use of absorbent labels is known in theart, note U.S. Pat. No. 6,1 39,935—Cullen et al.; U.S. Pat. No.5,686,161—Cullen et al.; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,667,863—Cullen et al. Asuitable label structure would generally comprise a layer structure asfollows:

Water vapor, hexanal and odor permeable layer Invention hexanal absorber(possibly in a vapor permeable polymer layer) Polymer base sheetAdhesive layer for the attachment to package Strippable coversheet forthe protection of the adhesive prior to use

The label would be sealed at the edges, if necessary, in a known mannersuch as by heat, ultrasonic sealing, or adhesive sealing.

It is also possible that a permeable polymer layer on the inside of thepackaging material could contain the hexanal absorber. The outer layerof the package would provide a barrier layer for oxygen and possiblywater vapor.

The absorbers may include an ethanol emitter to aid in preserving thebaked goods. Typically of such emitters are ethyl alcohol on a carrier.A preferred ethanol emitter (by weight) is 36% ethyl alcohol, 64% silicagel or 30.7% ethyl alcohol, 5.7% water, 63.6% silica gel or activatedcarbon can be used as the carrier, an alternative would be 52 gramssilica gel, 32.2 grams ethyl alcohol, 190 proof, 2.2 grams water, and 15grams activated carbon because the ethyl alcohol will be readilyreleased over 30 days' time. It typically would be used in an amount of10 to 20 grams of a batch comprising 52 grams silica gel, 32.2 gramsethyl alcohol, 190 proof, 2.2 grams water, and 15 grams activated carbonin a packet for a 500 gram whole wheat bread loaf.

Examples below are illustrative and not exhaustive of examples ofmaterials of the invention. Parts and percentages are by weight unlessotherwise indicated.

EXAMPLES

The examples show that a combination hexanal absorber and ethanolemitter would be suitable or a combination hexanal absorber andflavor/fragrance emitter to prolong life of baked goods.

Tyvek® packets for the absorber are in a 11×16 inch foil pouch that wascut down to 11×16 inches from a larger foil pouch. In the foil pouch are6 pecan sandy cookies. The foil pouch was vacuumed and then filled witha gas of 15.7 ppm hexanal in nitrogen. The hexanal contents weremeasured after 10 days and then after another 10 days. 3 liters of gaswere used.

EXAMPLES 1 6 pecan sandy cookies in 3 liters of 10 days - 860 ppb airhexanal at 40° C. 20 days - 720 ppb hexanal at 40° C. 2 6 pecan sandycookies with 1.0 10 days - 24 ppb gram of the activated carbon in airhexanal at 40° C. The activated carbon is a 50 × 200 20 days - 15 ppbmesh coconut shell based activated hexanal at 40° C. carbon 3 6 pecansandy cookies with 2.0 10 days - 8 ppb grams of the activated carbon inair hexanal at 40° C. The activated carbon is a 50 × 200 20 days - 6 ppbmesh coconut shell based activated hexanal at 40° C. carbon 4 6 pecansandy cookies with ½% 10 days - 750 ppb oxygen with the remainder beinghexanal at 40° C. nitrogen 20 days - 560 ppb hexanal at 40° C. 5 6 pecansandy cookies with the gas 10 days - 2500 ppb containing hexanal hexanalat 40° C. 20 days - 2100 ppb hexanal at 40° C. 6 6 pecan sandy cookieswith 2.0 10 days - 310 ppb grams of activated carbon with the hexanal at40° C. gas containing hexanal 20 days - 1700 ppb The activated carbon isa 50 × 200 hexanal at 40° C. mesh coconut shell based activated carbon 76 pecan sandy cookies with 2.0 10 days - 65 ppb grams of activatedcarbon hexanal at 40° C. impregnated with .3 grams of 20 days - 98 ppbpotassium metabisulfite in .7 hexanal at 40° C. grams of water with thegas containing hexanal The activated carbon is 50 × 200 mesh coconutshell based activated carbon 8 6 pecan sandy cookies with 3.0 10 days -100 ppb grams of silica gel (300 angstrom) hexanal at 40° C. impregnatedwith .3 grams of 20 days - 140 ppb potassium metabisulfite in .7 hexanalat 40° C. grams of water with the gas containing hexanal 9 6 pecan sandycookies with 2.0 10 days - 9 ppb grams of activated carbon hexanal at40° C. impregnated with .7 grams of 35% 20 days - 4 ppb hydrogenperoxide with the gas hexanal at 40° C. containing hexanal The activatedcarbon is a 50 × 200 mesh coconut shell based activated carbon 10 6pecan sandy cookies with 3.0 10 days - 1,600 ppb grams of silica gel(300 angstrom) hexanal at 40° C. Transo Pharm impregnated with .7 20days - 10,000 ppb grams of 35% hydrogen peroxide hexanal at 40° C. withthe gas containing hexanal (estimated) 11 3.0 grams Siliporite G5 XP 10days - 1,900 ppb molecular sieve, particle size not hexanal at 40° C.known 20 days - 1,600 ppb 6 pecan sandy cookies with 3 liters hexanal at40° C. of gas containing hexanol 12 Hexanal gas blank, no cookies and 10days - 9,200 ppb no moisture source for the water hexanal at 40° C.activity 20 days - 7,000 ppb hexanal at 40° C.

The moisture source used in Examples 13-29 was 3.0 grams of a saturatedcalcium chloride solution in water to give a 32% RH. Testing was in a 3liter foil lined 11″×16″ pouch. The dry ingredients were in Tyvek®packets. The ingredients in the Tyvek® packet and the wet blotter papermoisture source were sealed in the foil pouch and vacuumed. 3 liters ofgas containing 15.7 ppm of hexanal with the remainder being nitrogen wasinjected into each foil test pouch. The test pouches were stored at roomtemperature. The analysis was conducted after 4 days.

EXAMPLES 13 .3 gram potassium metabisulfate 10,000 ppb hexanal with amoisture source 14 .3 gram potassium metabisulfate 14,000 ppb hexanalwith a moisture source 15 2.0 grams of activated carbon 11 ppb hexanalimpregnated with .4 grams water with a moisture source. The activatedcarbon is a 50 × 200 mesh coconut shell based activated carbon 16 2.0grams of activated carbon not 35 ppb hexanal impregnated but with amoisture source. The activated carbon is a 50 × 200 mesh coconut shellbased activated carbon 17 2.0 grams of activated carbon not <5 ppbhexanal impregnated but with a moisture source. The activated carbon isa 50 × 200 mesh coconut shell based activated carbon 18 3.5 grams of3.0% hydrogen 5,800 ppb hexanal peroxide on blotter paper with amoisture source 19 .4 grams sodium percarbonate with 11,000 ppb hexanala moisture source 20 3.0 grams molecular sieve with a 76 ppb hexanalmoisture source 21 1.65 grams of: 15 grams activated 7 ppb hexanalcarbon that is a 50 × 200 mesh coconut shell based activated carbon; 7.5grams water; 2.2 grams iron; .09 grams sodium chloride with a moisturesource 22 1.6 grams of: 10 grams activated 11 ppb hexanal carbon that isa 50 × 200 mesh coconut shell based activated carbon 23 1.9 grams of: 10grams activated 58 ppb hexanal carbon + a solution of 2.5 grams ofsodium bisulfite with 6.25 grams of water with a moisture source 24 .3grams of sodium bisulfite with a 930 ppb hexanal moisture source 25 .3grams of sodium sulfite with a 15,000 ppb hexanal moisture source 26Blank 18,000 ppb hexanal 27 Blank 4,100 ppb hexanal 28 .2 grams of 300 Asilica gel 1,800 ppb hexanal This is a very wide pore silica gel plus amoisture source 29 .3 grams calcium peroxide plus a 400 ppb hexanalmoisture source

40° C. at set up and 10 days at 40° C. for reading results for Examples30-49.

In Examples 30-49, the dry materials are in Tyvek® packets, for thetests with the cookies, the cookies are the moisture source with a wateractivity of 0.26. The tests with cookies only have the hexanal comingoff the cookies. The tests without cookies have 3 liter of gascontaining 15.7 ppm hexanal in nitrogen, the moisture source is 3 gramsof a saturated calcium chloride solution with a water activity of 0.39,for the tests with cookies the pouches were injected with 3 liters ofair. The tests were conducted in 11″×16″ foil pouches. The foil poucheswere vacuumed and sealed and then injected with the gas, the poucheswere set up and filled. The pouches were stored at 40° C. until thehexanal content was measured and is shown in each example.

EXAMPLES 30 2.0 dry activated carbon, the 7 ppb hexanal activated carbonis a 50 × 200 mesh coconut shell based activated carbon 6 pecan sandyshortbread cookies 31 2.0 grams activated carbon 6 ppb hexanalimpregnated with .4 grams water, 2.4 grams total. The activated carbonis a 50 × 200 mesh coconut shell based activated carbon 6 pecan sandyshortbread cookies 32 4.0 grams of 5XP molecular sieve. 46 ppb hexanal33 .5 grams sodium bisulfite 47 ppb hexanal 6 pecan sandie shortbreadcookies 34 .5 grams sodium bisulfite 17 ppb hexanal 6 pecan sandieshortbread cookies 35 .5 grams sodium bisulfite 93 ppb hexanal Hexanalgas + moisture source, no cookies 36 .5 grams potassium carbonate 110ppb hexanal 6 pecan sandie shortbread cookies 37 .5 grams potassiumcarbonate 99 ppb hexanal 6 pecan sandie shortbread cookies 38 .5 gramspotassium carbonate 120 ppb hexanal Hexanal gas + moisture source, nocookies 39 .5 gram calcium peroxide 5,000 ppb hexanal 6 pecan sandieshortbread cookies 40 .5 grams calcium peroxide 57 ppb hexanal Hexanalgas + moisture source, no cookies 41 .5 grams potassium metabisulfate 60ppb hexanal 6 pecan sandie shortbread cookies 42 .5 grams potassiummetabisulfate 110 ppb hexanal 6 pecan sandie shortbread cookies 43 .5grams potassium metabisulfate 110 ppb hexanal Hexanal gas + moisturesource, no cookies 44 1.0 gram 35% hydrogen peroxide 5,800 ppb hexanalon blotter paper 6 pecan sandie shortbread cookies 45 1.0 gram 35%hydrogen peroxide 280 ppb hexanal on blotter paper Hexanal gas +moisture source, no cookies 46 Blank 630 ppb hexanal A blank is a foilpouch with only the cookies and injected with 3 liters of air 6 pecansandie shortbread cookies 47 Blank 110 ppb hexanal A blank is a foilpouch with only the cookies and injected with 3 liters of air 6 pecansandie shortbread cookies 48 Blank 8,400 ppb hexanal A blank withoutcookies is a foil pouch with only the hexanal gas and a moisture sourceHexanal gas + moisture source, no cookies 49 Blank 7,200 ppb hexanal Ablank without cookies is a foil pouch with only the hexanal gas and amoisture source Hexanal gas + moisture source, no cookies

Testing for all tests of Examples 50A-57B were in a 3 liter foil linedpouch 11″×16″; the pouch was cut down from a larger size foil pouch. Alltesting was done with 6 pecan sandie shortbread cookies and 3 liters ofgas containing 15.7 ppm of hexanal with the remainder being nitrogen.The test pouches were stored at 40° C. from filling until the analysiswas done. The hexanal contents were measured after 112 days. Thedeposits label type were on a card board and dried at 120° C. until thedeposit held together and was not too wet. The non cardboard depositswere placed in a Tyvek® pouch; no wet blotter paper was used. The foilpouch was vacuumed after the test ingredients were placed inside, thenheat sealed. After this the vacuumed pouch was filled with 3 liters ofgas containing 15.7 ppm hexanal with the remainder being nitrogen. Thehexanal analyses were done. The 6 cookies and hexanal absorber wereplaced inside the foil lined pouch before it was vacuumed and sealed.

Label potassium metabisulfite and activated carbon cardboard typedeposit.

-   -   67% 30. grams liquid (fresh card liquid) 12% hydroxyl propyl        cellulose solution in water    -   33% 15. grams Impregnated carbon        -   45. grams total

Impregnated Carbon

-   -   62% 15. grams activated carbon

The carbon is a 50×200 mesh coconut shell based activated carbon.

-   -   10% 2.25 grams potassium metabisulfite    -   23% 5.25 grams water        -   22.5 grams total

EXAMPLES 50A 9.1 gram deposit will give .3 grams 5 ppb hexanal ofpotassium metabisulfite and 2.0 grams of carbon, the amount of 9.1 gramswas placed on cardboard and is used for the test, this was a label cardtype deposit 50B Duplicate of cardboard card (retest) 18 ppb hexanal 51A3.0 grams of the impregnated 190 ppb hexanal carbon with potassiummetabisulfite in a Tyvek ® Packet Impregnated carbon 67% 15. gramsactivated carbon 10% 2.25 grams potassium metabisulfite 23% 5.52 gramswater 22.5 grams total 51B Duplicate of 51A (retest) 240 ppb hexanal 52A67% 30. grams 12% hydroxyl <5 ppb hexanal propyl cellulose solution inwater 33% 15. grams impregnated carbon 45. grams total - use for depositImpregnated carbon 67% 15 grams activated carbon. The activated carbonis a 50 × 200 mesh coconut shell based activated carbon. 10% 2.25 gramspotassium carbonate 23% 5.25 grams water 9.1 grams of deposit will give.3 grams potassium carbonate and 2.0 grams of activated carbon, theamount of 9.1 grams was placed on cardboard and used for the test; thiswas the label type deposit. 52B Duplicate of 52A (retest) <5 ppb hexanal53A 3.0 grams of the impregnated 830 ppb hexanal carbon with potassiumcarbonate in a Tyvek ® packet. Impregnated carbon 62% 15. gramsactivated carbon. The activated carbon is a 50 × 200 mesh coconut shellbased activated carbon. 10% 2.25 grams potassium carbonate 23% 5.25grams water 53B Duplicate of 53A (retest) 780 ppb hexanal 54A Activatedcarbon standard, no <5 ppb hexanal reactant, label type 67% 30. grams12% hydroxyl propyl cellulose solution in water 33% 15. grams activatedcarbon impregnated. The activated carbon is a 50 × 200 mesh coconutshell based activated carbon. 45. grams total Impregnated carbon 74% 15.grams activate carbon. The activated carbon is a 50 × 200 mesh coconutshell based activated carbon. 26% 5.25 grams water 20.25 grams total 8.1grams of deposit will give 2.0 grams of activated carbon without areactant, the amount of 8.1 grams was placed on cardboard and used forthe test. This was a label type deposit. 54B Duplicate of 54A (retest)<5 ppb hexanal 55A Activated carbon standard, wet 280 ppb hexanol carbonin packet form, 2.7 grams of impregnated activated carbon in a Tyvek ®packet. Impregnated carbon 74% 15. grams activated carbon The activatedcarbon is a 50 × 200 mesh coconut shell based activated carbon. 26% 5.35grams water 20.25 grams total 55B Duplicate of 56A (retest) 1900 ppbhexanal 56A A Tyvek ® packet containing 2.0 3600 ppb hexanal grams ofdry activated carbon without a reactant. The activated carbon is a 50 ×200 mesh coconut shell based activated carbon. 56B Duplicate of 56A(retest) 3200 ppb hexanal 57A Control blank [what is blank] 2000 ppbhexanal 57B Duplicate of 57A 2100 ppb hexanal

Testing for Examples 59-65 will be with 6 pecan sandies cookies and 3liters of gas containing 15.7 ppm hexanal. 40° C., readings taken at 10days only, the deposits were made on cardboard and dried in the oven at110° C. until dry and firm.

-   -   8 days at 40° C.-1,800 ppb hexanal    -   6 pecan sandie cookies    -   3 liters of hexanal gas    -   6 pieces of blotter paper 1″×1½″ soaked in water    -   8 days at 40° C.

The deposits were on cardboard and dried in an oven at 110° C. until thedeposit was firm and not too wet. The deposit was then placed in an11′×16″ foil pouch with 6 pecan sandie shortbread cookies, which wasvacuumed and heat sealed. Then this pouch was filled with 3 liter of gas15.7 ppm hexanal with the remainder being nitrogen. The test poucheswere stored at 40° C.

EXAMPLES 58 Hydrogen Peroxide and activated 4.1 ppb hexanal carbon Theactivated carbon is a 50 × 200 mesh coconut shell activated carbon. 67%30. grams 12% hydroxy propyl cellulose solution in water. 33% 15 gramsimpregnated carbon Impregnated carbon 70% 14. grams activated carbon Theactivated carbon is a 50 × 200 mesh coconut shell based activatedcarbon. 30% 6. grams 35% hydrogen peroxide 20. gram total 8.6 gramdeposit will give .3 grams of pure hydrogen peroxide and 2.0 grams ofactivated carbon 8 days at 40° C. 59 Hydrogen peroxide and silica gel1,800 ppb hexanal 67% 30. grams 12% hydroxy propyl cellulose solution inwater 33% 15 grams impregnated silica gel is 45. grams total Thehydrogen peroxide and silica gel comprise 75% 15. grams silica gel 25%5. grams 35% H₂O₂ 20. grams total A 10.5 gram deposit will give .3 gramspure hydrogen peroxide and 2.6 grams of silica gel 8 days at 40° C. 60Potassium carbonate and activated 2.1 ppb hexanal carbon 67% 30. 12%hydroxy propyl cellulose solution in water 33% 15. grams impregnatedcarbon The activated carbon is a 50 × 200 mesh coconut shell basedactivated carbon. Impregnated carbon 67% 15. grams activated carbon 10%2.25 grams potassium carbonate 23% 5.25 grams water 9.1 gram depositwill give .3 grams potassium carbonate and 2.0 grams of activatedcarbon. 8 days at 40° C. 61 Potassium carbonate and silica gel 1,000 ppbhexanal 67% 30. grams 12% hydroxy propyl cellulose solution in water.33% 15. grams impregnated silica gel 45. grams total Impregnated silicagel 74% 21.4 grams silica gel 7.8% 2.25 grams potassium carbonate 18.25.25 grams water 28.9 grams total A 12. gram deposit will give .3 gramspotassium carbonate and 2.9 grams silica gel 8 days at 40° C. 62Activated carbon standard, no 2.3 ppb hexanal reactant 67% 30. grams 12%hydroxy propyl cellulose in a water solution 33% 15. grams activatedcarbon, impregnated Impregnated Carbon 74% 15. grams carbon Theactivated carbon is a 50 × 200 mesh coconut shell based activatedcarbon. 26% 5.25 grams water. 20.25 grams total 8.1 grams of depositwill give 2.0 grams of activated carbon without a reactant. 8 days at40° C. 63 2.0 grams of dry carbon 2300 ppb hexanal 8 days at 40° C. 64Blank, flushed but no absorber or 1800 ppb reactant

The cookies were purchased at the local supermarket the day of the testor the day before the test. Based on this the cookies were as fresh asthey could be based on the fact that they came from a supermarket. Thecookies have the normal cookie smell and after testing do not have anoff odor.

The activated carbon or silica gel acts as an adsorber to attract thehexanal gas and adsorb the hexanal on the surface of the pores inside ofthe activated carbon. Then the reactants absorb the hexanal and reactwith the hexanal to convert the hexanal so that hexanal cannot bereleased by the activated carbon at a later time. Adsorbers beingactivated carbon, molecular sieve or silica gel. The reactants beingpotassium metabisulfite, hydrogen peroxide, potassium carbonate, calciumperoxide, potassium carbonate, sodium bisulfite and urea. The reactantscan be used alone to absorb hexanal but the combination of an adsorbersuch as activated carbon and an absorber such as a reactant works thebest to capture and hold on to the hexanal.

Dry activated carbon did work for adsorbing hexanal but activated carbonimpregnated with water may have worked better. When the activated carbonwas impregnated with a potassium metabisulfite solution the capacity forhexanal was improved. 300 angstrom silica gel impregnated with thepotassium metabisulfite solution absorbed hexanal almost as well as theactivated carbon impregnated with the potassium metabisulfite solution.Activated carbon impregnated with 35% hydrogen peroxide also absorbedhexanal very well. 300 angstrom silica gel impregnated with 35% hydrogenperoxide was almost as good at absorbing hexanal as the activated carbonimpregnated with the 35% hydrogen peroxide. Silica gel impregnated with35% hydrogen peroxide also absorbed hexanal but the 300 angstrom silicagel did have a higher capacity for hexanal. Molecular sieve alsoadsorbed hexanal well when used alone but with the impregnation of apotassium carbonate solution the capacity of hexanal was greater. Wealso tested activated carbon blended with a mixture of iron powder,sodium chloride and water to form iron oxide. This combination alsoworked for absorbing hexanal.

The chemistry of these hexanal absorbers worked well in both a granularblend in a packet or in moist deposit on a card to be used as a label orcard. The wet activated label or card with the hexanal absorbing depositcan be more effective than the same chemistry in a packet form.

1. A method of preserving baked goods comprising placing the baked goodsin package and inserting an activated carbon absorber for hexanal intothe package, wherein the absorber for hexanal further comprises sodiumbisulfite or potassium metabisulfite.
 2. (canceled)
 3. The method claim1, wherein an ethanol emitter is also inserted into the package. 4.(canceled)
 5. A method of reserving baked goods comprising placing thebaked goods in package and inserting a molecular sieve absorber forhexanal into the package, wherein the absorber for hexanal furthercomprises sodium bisulfite or potassium metabisulfite.
 6. A method ofpreserving baked goods comprising placing the baked goods in package andinserting a silica gel absorber for hexanal into the package, whereinthe absorber for hexanal further comprises sodium bisulfite or potassiummetabisulfite.
 7. The method of claim 5, wherein the hexanal absorberfurther comprises urea.
 8. Method of claim 1, wherein the baked goodscomprise bread.
 9. (canceled)
 10. (canceled)
 11. The method of claim 4,wherein the pore size of the molecular sieve is at least 3 Angstromminimum.
 12. (canceled)
 13. The method of claim 1, wherein the sodiumbisulfite is present in an amount of between 0.01 and 0.05 grams pergram of activated carbon.